Luxembourg visa options for Germany passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa-free
Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Luxembourg
Freedom of movement
No visa or residence permit needed
As a Germany (EU/EEA/Swiss) citizen you have full free-movement rights in Luxembourg: you can live, work, study and retire there indefinitely — no visa, no residence permit. You only register with the local authorities after about three months. The visa routes below are for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals; you don’t need them.
For reference, the routes Luxembourg offers non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals:
- Tourist
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Insurance
- Requiredtravel health insurance covering the full stay; Schengen standard is min. EUR 30,000 medical cover (verify).
- Good for
- Visa-required third-country nationals visiting for tourism, family visits, business trips, conferences or service provision.
- Requirement
- Valid passport (3+ months validity beyond visa), proof of sufficient funds, accommodation and onward/return travel; fee approx EUR 90 (reduced rates for some nationalities/children).
- Business
Business Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Insurance
- Requiredtravel health insurance for the stay; Schengen standard min. EUR 30,000 cover (verify).
- Good for
- Third-country nationals attending meetings, conferences or providing short-term services; no paid local employment permitted.
- Requirement
- Invitation letter from the host company plus standard Schengen documents (passport, funds, return ticket); does not grant the right to take up paid work in Luxembourg.
- Business
Self-Employed / Investor Residence Permit
Investor permit valid max. 3 years, renewable (5 years possible for existing EU long-term residents)
- Insurance
- Requiredcomprehensive health insurance valid in Luxembourg and a mandatory medical check before the permit is issued.
- Good for
- Third-country nationals setting up or running a business, or making a qualifying investment in Luxembourg.
- Requirement
- Self-employed: viable business plan and any required trade/professional authorisation. Investor route: e.g. EUR 500,000 in an existing or new company (5 jobs in 3 years for a new business), EUR 3 million in a management/investment structure, or EUR 20 million deposited with a Luxembourg institution (verify exact options).
- Most nomadsWork
Long-Stay Salaried Worker Permit (Type D + residence permit)
First residence permit valid max. 1 year (tied to one profession/sector and employer), renewable
- Insurance
- Requiredaffiliation to Luxembourg health insurance follows from employment; proof of health cover and a mandatory medical check (incl. TB screening) are needed for the permit.
- Good for
- Third-country nationals with a Luxembourg job offer who will work as employees for more than 90 days.
- Requirement
- ADEM certificate authorising the employer to hire a third-country national (after a labour-market test), signed work contract, and a pre-approved authorisation to stay before entry; long-stay (Type D) visa fee approx EUR 50.
- Most nomadsWork
EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified Worker)
Valid 4 years, or contract length plus 3 months if the contract is shorter; renewable
- Insurance
- Requiredcomprehensive health cover; affiliation to Luxembourg's health insurance follows employment, plus a mandatory medical check before the permit issues.
- Good for
- Highly qualified third-country professionals with a high-skill job and qualifying salary.
- Requirement
- Recognised higher qualification/professional experience for the role and a gross annual salary at or above the threshold (approx EUR 65,652 for applications from 3 March 2026; verify current figure).
- Most nomadsStudy
Student Residence Permit
Min. 1 year or the length of the study cycle if shorter; renewable for the duration of studies
- Insurance
- Requireda health insurance certificate covering illness in Luxembourg (travel/health insurance) must be provided; no fixed minimum amount stated.
- Good for
- Third-country nationals enrolled full-time in a Luxembourg higher-education programme or doctoral research for more than 3 months.
- Requirement
- Enrolment/admission at an accredited institution and proof of sufficient resources (at least approx 80% of the social inclusion income per month; verify).
- Most nomadsResidence
Residence for Private Reasons (Financially Independent / Retiree)
Valid max. 3 years, renewable on request
- Insurance
- Requiredproof of comprehensive health insurance valid in Luxembourg; no fixed minimum amount stated.
- Good for
- Third-country nationals who can live off their own resources (e.g. pension or savings) or have strong private/family ties, without taking local employment.
- Requirement
- Proof of stable resources at least equal to the monthly social minimum wage (e.g. from a pension or activity in an EU/Schengen state) and suitable accommodation; authorisation to stay must be approved before entry.
- Residence
Family Reunification Residence Permit
Tied to and renewable with the sponsor's residence permit
- Insurance
- Requiredhealth insurance coverage for the family member must be demonstrated.
- Good for
- Family members (spouse, minor children) joining a third-country national or EU/Luxembourg national legally residing in Luxembourg.
- Requirement
- Sponsor must hold valid residence, adequate accommodation and sufficient stable resources; authorisation to stay approved before the family member enters.
- Most nomadsResidence
EU Long-Term Resident Status (Permanent Residence)
Permit valid 5 years, renewable; status is long-term/permanent
- Insurance
- Requireda health insurance certificate for the applicant and their family members.
- Good for
- Third-country nationals settling permanently after long-term lawful residence in Luxembourg.
- Requirement
- At least 5 years of continuous legal residence, stable and sufficient resources without recourse to social welfare, and suitable housing.
Figures are indicative and change frequently; always verify on guichet.public.lu before applying. Last checked: 2026-06.
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Luxembourg, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
Germany → Luxembourg: frequently asked
- Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit Luxembourg?
- No. As a Germany (EU/EEA/Swiss) citizen you have freedom of movement in Luxembourg and need no visa for any length of stay.
- Can a Germany passport holder live or work long-term in Luxembourg?
- Yes — under EU/EEA/Swiss free movement you can live, work and study in Luxembourg indefinitely with no visa or residence permit.
- Do I need travel insurance for Luxembourg?
- Entry to Luxembourg never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Luxembourg visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.